In the court of Mr. Kunal Sharan, Session Judge
South District, Saket Court,Delhi
A ...Prosecution
‘Versus,
B .. Defence
Facts of c:
+ A, aresident of Jamia Nagar, Delhi, got married to B in 2019, making B
her second husband after a previous divorce. When A became pregnant with
their child in October 2022, B had to travel to Chennai for work, leaving A
alone during her pregnancy.
+ Feeling vulnerable, A welcomed the support offered by C, a distant
relative. C stayed with A and even accompanied her to doctor appointments
during her pregnancy, earning A's trust.
. In July 2023, when A went into labor, C took her to a hospital. However,
instead of staying at the initial hospital due to document issues, C took her to
another hospital in Jamia Nagar. A underwent surgery due to delivery
complications, with C informing her she gave birth to a baby boy. However, C
prevented A from seeing the child in person, showing only photographs.
+ When A persisted in wanting to see her child, C claimed the baby had
died after birth and had already been buried. Suspecting foul play, A reported
the incident to the police, accusing C of kidnapping and selling her child.
+ Police conducted an investigation, searching C's relative's home where
they found the baby boy. Statements were taken from C's relative, her husband,
and neighbors. Subsequently, police charged C under kidnapping and trafficking
sections of the Indian Penal Code.
+ This case underscores the vulnerability of individuals during times of
need and the importance of trust. It's a distressing situation where a relative,
who was supposed to offer support, is accused of such heinous acts, leading to
legal repercussions.PROSECUTION’s witness examination
In the court proceedings, the prosecution presented several witnesses to support
their case, Here's a summary of their testimonies:
+ PW-1 (D) testified that C brought the child to them on the evening of.
08/07/23, claiming the child belonged to her relatives. C requested them to care
for the child until her relatives were discharged from the hospital. PW-1 also
mentioned receiving Rs. 5000 for the child's care.
+ PW-2 (E) corroborated PW-l's account, stating that when he returned
home from work that night, PW-1 informed him about the child's arrival, PW-1
mentioned that C intended to take back the child once her relative was
discharged from the hospital.
+ PW-3 (F), a neighbor of PW-1 and PW-2, testified that on the moming of
09/07/23, she heard the baby crying. When she asked PW-1 about it, PW-1
explained that the child belonged to her hospitalized relative, and she was caring
for the child until the mother's discharge.
+ PW-4 (ASI Ganga Prasad) stated that initially, the accused (C) was
hesitant to disclose the child's whereabouts but later admitted that PW-1 and
PW-2 were in custody of the child.
+ PW-5 (Doctor Rishita from DEF Nursing Home) confirmed that on
08/07/23, A gave birth to a healthy child via cesarean delivery. She clarified that
C took the child, explaining that the family at home would look after the child.
She refuted any misinformation being provided to A regarding the child's
whereabouts from the hospital's end.
+ These testimonies collectively shed light on the circumstances
surrounding the child's presence with PW-1 and PW-2, indicating that C had
handed over the child to them under false pretenses. The prosecution's case aims
to establish C's involvement in the alleged kidnapping and trafficking of the
child.
Fa
Upon due consideration of the charges and the pleas entered by the accused, the
court duly noted their assertion of innocence. This plea will be taken intoaccount as the trial progresses, ensuring a fair and impartial examination of the
evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense. The court shall
proceed with the trial in adherence to the principles of justice and the applicable
legal framework.
EVIDENCE Adduced by Defence
During the trial, the Defense Witnesses (DW) provided their testimonies as
follows:
DW-I (B), the second husband of A, testified that he had married A as her
second husband, He claimed that he left her due to her disobedience and her
interactions with multiple male acquaintances.
DW-2 (X), A's first husband, stated that he had divorced A due to personal
compatibility issues between them.
DW-3 (Y), the Head Staff Nurse at DEF Nursing Home on the date of the
incident, informed the court that following the birth of the child, A was
informed about the baby boy. However, she asserted that she had no knowledge
regarding the circumstances surrounding the delivery of the child to C.
These testimonies offer insights into the relationships and interactions involving
A, shedding light on potential factors contributing to the case, The court shall
consider these testimonies alongside other evidence presented during the trial to
reach a just and impartial decision.
ISUE OF THE CASE
WHETHER C COMMETED THE CRIME PUNISHIBLE UNDER SECTION
363 AND 370 OF IPC.Despite marital issues between A and her husbands, this does not directly
impact the case's outcome unless it's proven that it influenced A's credibility or
‘motives.
The defence's argument of C's innocence is weakened by the fact that C
took custody of the child without proper consent or authorization,
The prosecution has provided sufficient evidence to establish that C took
the child from A's custody and directed D and E to keep the child, which aligns
with the charges under Sections 363 and 370 IPC.
Therefore, based on the evidence presented, it’s likely that the C guilty of
the charges under Sections 363 and 370 of the IPC.
Verdict
Ina community in Jamia Nagar, Delhi, there lived a woman named A. She was
married to B, her second husband, in 2019 after her first marriage ended in
divorce. During October 2022, A found out she was pregnant with her second
husband's child. B had to travel to Chennai for work, leaving A alone at home.
During this time, A's distant relative, C, came into her life. Seeing A alone and
pregnant, C offered to stay and support her until the baby was born. A, grateful
for the help, welcomed C into her home. C accompanied A to her doctor
appointments and provided assistance.
In July 2023, as A's due date approached, she felt unwell and C rushed her to a
nearby hospital, the ABC nursing home. However, they were turned away due
to paperwork issues. They then went to the EG nursing home in Jamia Nagar,
where A was admitted and underwent surgery the next day due to
complications.
After the surgery, A asked about her newborn child, but C only showed her
some photos, claiming it was a boy. When A pressed for more information, C
informed her that the baby had died shortly after birth and had been buried.
Distraught, A reported the incident to the authorities, suspecting foul play. An
investigation ensued, during which the police found the baby boy at the home of
C's relative. Various witnesses, including neighbors and medical staff, provided
their testimonies.
During the trial, both sides presented their arguments. The prosecution alleged
that C had kidnapped the child and engaged in human trafficking. However, thedefense argued that A's troubled relationships and conflicting statements cast
doubt on the allegations.
Ultimately, the court found it challenging to determine
reasonable doubt. Given the complexities and uncertainti
case, the court acquitted C of all charges.
This story highlights the complexities of human relationships and the challenges
of seeking justice in difficult circumstances,
JUDGEMENT
In considering this case, it's essential to remember the human aspect of the
situation, A, the mother, found herself in a vulnerable position while her
husband was away for work. C, a distant relative, offered support during her
pregnancy, which A gratefully accepted. However, events took a distressing turn
when A was led to believe that her newborn child had died after birth, only to
later discover discrepancies regarding the child's whereabouts.
It's evident from the testimonies that A was misled about what happened to her
child. This caused immense emotional turmoil for her. Despite arguments about
A's personal history, it's crucial to focus on the specific events surrounding the
child's custody.
Caring for a newborn is a delicate matter, and any actions taken without the
mother's consent can have significant consequences. While there may have been
intentions to protect the child, it's imperative to respect the rights and wishes of
the mother.
In delivering justice, the court acknowledges the complexity of the situation,
While recognizing the accused's potential intentions, it cannot overlook the
fundamental rights of the mother and child. The sentence handed down reflects
both accountability for the accused's actions and the need to ensure the
well-being of the child and mother.
There for c found guilty of the offence punishable under section 363 and 370 of
IPC. And this court awarded C imprisonment of 7 years under section 363 of
IPC and in addition to this imprisonment this court further awarded 5 year of
imprisonment to C.